TOPIC: Future Pipe Designer

Hi all, my name is Carlos Nieto and am interested in a career change as a pipe designer. I have been in the pipe industry for about 5 years now as a CWI (certified welding inspector) and just recently as an API-570 In-Service Pipe inspector. I have enrolled at the local community college in a Mechanical Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree which has some drafting classes but only one pipe drafting elective. Is this course necessary for my plans or should I just take a drafting certificate. There is a community college that has a drafting certificate that specializes in piping but costs double the amount of my A.A.S and is not as centrally located as the one I'm enrolled in. I figured that with the degree I would have a better chance of getting a job quicker than someone with just the certificate.

Jop,
What kind of experience would you say is necessary to be successful as an entry level piping designer? I am writing a paper on the matter in one of my classes and would like some insight from established pipers.

I don't understand Jop, one of the class assignments as part of my A.A.S in Mechanical Engineering Technology is to write a paper on the career we would like to have. I chose pipe design, as my career path because I would like to be one. No need to get angry, sir. That is why I was asking about the education and necessary experience. It is something that truly interests me enough to change careers.

I think he got upset because of a miss understanding. As stated I'm attending school for a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree, one of my classes requires us to write a paper on our future career, I chose Pipe Designer. I asked Mr. Jop about needed experience and he got upset because i wasn't clear enough with my questions, I guess.